Indications of the impermanence of life are all around us. Some signs are small, like a rose that is vibrant and beautiful one day and then gone the next. And some signs are large, like when a friend or beloved family member passes away. But as I sit here this morning thinking about life, I’m reminded of my belief that life is not about what we own but about what we experience.

The concept of ownership, be it a house, a car, or any other “thing” is false. The impermanence of life makes this a fact. All that we are, for whatever we possess, are temporary custodians. Once we leave this earth, whatever we have will be passed on to the next person to use and maintain for as long as they remain earth-bound.

So where does that leave us? It leaves us with our memories and the opportunity to experience life in so many new and exciting ways, if we’re willing to open ourselves to them. Go out with your friends and make snow angels. And please take pictures. Call your significant other at work and say, “Honey, I’m picking you up this afternoon for a weekend getaway.” Enroll in the cooking class you’ve always wanted to take. Volunteer to work in Africa for two weeks to help with a project to eliminate malaria. Become a Big Brother or a Big Sister.

My point is this: Go out and do. Try new things. Take a chance. Create opportunities to be swept away in the beauty and joy of life. Because I feel confident in saying that in those last precious moments before you move from this life to your next adventure, you won’t be thinking about your mortgage. You’ll be thinking about snow angels.

Take ownership of the one thing you can truly own:

Your Life